North Bergen's Fence Regulations: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles fence regulations a little differently. In North Bergen, New Jersey, there are 3 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Height Limits

North Bergen's Zoning Ordinance (Section 4.8) limits front yard fences to 4 feet and rear yard fences to 6 feet. The finished side of the fence must face away from the building (toward neighbors). These are stricter than general NJ standards.

Key details: Front Yard Max: 4 feet (Section 4.8). Rear Yard Max: 6 feet (Section 4.8). Finished Side: Must face away from building (toward neighbors). Code: Zoning Ordinance, Section 4.8.

Fence exceeding height limit: zoning violation, removal order, fines. Fence with finished side facing wrong way: correction required.

Permit Requirements

Fence permits are required in North Bergen. A Fence Permit Application is available from the Building/Code Enforcement/Zoning Department at 4233 Kennedy Blvd. Permits must comply with Zoning Ordinance Section 4.8 before installation.

Key details: Permit Required: Yes — from Building/Zoning Dept.. Permit Application: Available at northbergen.org/forms. Department: 4233 Kennedy Blvd., (201) 392-2000. Code Reference: Zoning Ordinance, Section 4.8.

Fence without permit: zoning violation, stop-work order, possible mandatory removal.

Neighbor Fence Rules

North Bergen's Zoning Ordinance Section 4.8 requires the finished side of a fence to face away from the owner's building (toward neighbors and the street). Adjacent owner notification is good practice before installation. Shared fence maintenance is equal under NJ common law.

Key details: Finished Side: Must face away from your building (toward neighbors). Code: Zoning Ordinance, Section 4.8. Shared Fences: Equal maintenance under NJ common law. Disputes: North Bergen Municipal Court.

Fence with finished side facing wrong direction: correction required. Encroachment: mandatory removal.

The Bottom Line

North Bergen's fence regulations rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming North Bergen is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that North Bergen can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.